A Florida Story – a piece of Vero Beach history for Narrator and Orchestra

April 29, 2021

A Florida Story is a 35-minute piece for narrator and orchestra. The narration was created by Vero Beach Poet Laureate Sean Sexton. It recreates, from letters and correspondence, the story of Waldo Sexton’s love for Elsabeth, his move to Vero Beach, and his struggles to earn a living and raise a family there. Sean Sexton will narrate the WORLD PREMIERE.

The work will feature the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra under conductor and founder Aaron Collins.

“…eminently embraceable.”

“R. Michael Daugherty’s body of choral works is eminently embraceable. Many specimens are moving, others are whimsical, each presenting its own degree of challenge and nearly all rewarding to both listener and performer.”

— Robert Palmer, music critic Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (retired)

R. Michael Daugherty – Composer

2018-08-06T17:04:23-04:00

— Robert Palmer, music critic Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (retired)

https://www.rmichaeldaugherty.com/testimonials/152/

“…honest songs that you can wear for a life time!”

R. Michael Daugherty's songs for soprano are delightful, whether it be a woman's journey through life in Passages, or Emily Dickinson settings of Wagtail dances, Emily in Love, or Songs of Eternity. Tuneful inspiring melodies, thought provoking texts, honest songs that you can wear for a life time!

Alice Pierce, soprano

R. Michael Daugherty – Composer

2018-08-06T17:13:14-04:00

Alice Pierce, soprano

https://www.rmichaeldaugherty.com/testimonials/honest-songs-that-you-can-wear-for-a-life-time/

“…a festive work…”

Celebration Overture is “a festive work…embodied in a bold, positive new score.”

John W. Lambert, CVNC, an online arts journal in North Carolina

R. Michael Daugherty – Composer

2018-08-06T17:15:27-04:00

John W. Lambert, CVNC, an online arts journal in North Carolina

Celebration Overture is “a festive work…embodied in a bold, positive new score.”

https://www.rmichaeldaugherty.com/testimonials/a-festive-work/

“…an incredible friend to the Philharmonic Association…”

You (R. Michael Daugherty) have been an incredible friend to the Philharmonic Association for so many years. I have enjoyed hearing your many compositions, and Hugh (Partridge) and the young musicians have enjoyed performing them. It has been a special collaboration that we treasure. Thank you for providing this celebratory piece (Celebration Overture) for the 30th Anniversary and Hugh’s final formal concert.

Margaret Partridge, Philharmonic Association Executive Director

R. Michael Daugherty – Composer

2018-08-06T17:16:24-04:00

Margaret Partridge, Philharmonic Association Executive Director

https://www.rmichaeldaugherty.com/testimonials/an-incredible-friend-to-the-philharmonic-association/

“…the songs seem practically to sing themselves.”

The Authentic Cadences of Gerard Manley Hopkins for baritone and organ by R. Michael Daugherty is certainly deserving of mention. The poems are “Let Me Be to Thee,” “Pied Beauty” and “The May Magnificat.” Registrations are apt and helpful. The manuscript is clear and easy to read, the organ part lies well under the fingers, and the songs seem practically to sing themselves. This set of pieces would be a welcome addition to a recital program, and the texts are also appropriate for worship use.

Mary Ann Dodd, “The Fourth Biennial Holtkamp/AGO Award in Organ Composition 1989-1990” published in The American Organist, October 1990

R. Michael Daugherty – Composer

2018-08-06T17:17:40-04:00

Mary Ann Dodd, “The Fourth Biennial Holtkamp/AGO Award in Organ Composition 1989-1990” published in The American Organist, October 1990

The Authentic Cadences of Gerard Manley Hopkins for baritone and organ by R. Michael Daugherty is certainly deserving of mention. The poems are “Let Me Be to Thee,” “Pied Beauty” and “The May Magnificat.” Registrations are apt and helpful. The manuscript is clear and easy to read, the organ part lies well under the fingers, and the songs seem practically to sing themselves. This set of pieces would be a welcome addition to a recital program, and the texts are also appropriate for worship use.

https://www.rmichaeldaugherty.com/testimonials/the-songs-seem-practically-to-sing-themselves/

R. Michael Daugherty – Composer

A Florida Story - a piece of Vero Beach history for Narrator and Orchestra